Responsibility and Rage

by adfghjkl

Rating: everyone
Tags: Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Tragedy, Discord, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad
Length: 6868

Celestia and Luna fight to maintain harmony in Equestria after the return of a foe from their past.

Luna and Celestia, the daughters of Queen Galaxia and King Cosmos, must work togerther and use their magic to maintain harmony throughout the land. But with the mysterious disappearance of their parents and the return of a long lost foe, the sisters must learn their responsibilities, and what they must give up to fulfill them.

Updates:

Just finished indenting all of the chapters, finally.

Yes, this is meant to be a rather short story.

Published 2012-05-27 11:14:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-12-18 03:28:38 UTC

Chapter One: The Two Sisters

CHAPTER ONE

“Come on, Luna! You have to try this!” Celestia flew all around the edge of Equestria Peak effortlessly, while a smaller, younger filly watched meekly from down below. She shifted uncomfortably.

“No thanks, Tia, I think I’m fine down here.” Luna crouched, hoping her sister would just ignore her words and leave her be.

“Luna, if you’re want to be a REAL alicorn then you have to learn how to fly sometime!”

Luna stood. Real alicorn! What is THAT supposed to mean?

Luna shook her head, and leaped up in the air, beating her wings as hard as she could. Unexpectedly, Luna felt a rush of wind through her sky blue mane as she shot up and struggled to keep her balance.

“Yeah! Go Luna!” Celestia cheered from the side and flipped in the air.

“Pshh! This is easy!” yelled Luna as she floated steadily. In a way, that was the truth. She had thought flying for the first time would be difficult.

“Wait until Mother and Father hear about this! They’ll be so astonished!” Celestia grinned.

Luna rolled her eyes. “Why do you have to use such big words, Tia? Surprised would have worked just fine.” The older pony lowered down to the ground, Luna followed.

“I’m trying to use as regal words as I can. Mother always stresses using formal language when addressing the kingdom and its subjects. Otherwise, nopony takes you seriously.”

Luna frowned. “So now I have to use big words too?”

Now it was Celestia’s turn to roll her eyes. How could this pony not understand how important it is to be formal around here! We ARE princesses! I guess I can’t blame her. She is my younger sister, after all.

“Well, eventually.”Celestia tried her best to explain this concept to her sister, “It’s not all about using a large range of vocabulary. It’s about acting poised and professional. Remember Luna, we are royals! It is our mother and father’s duty to maintain harmony in Equestria. And someday it will be OUR responsibility! We need to-Luna! Are you even paying any attention to what I’m saying?”

Luna snapped awake. She had dozed off during one of her sister’s many lectures she gave on a daily basis. “Wha? Yeah, I’m paying attention! Yeah…uh…” Celestia gave her sister a dirty look. Luna blushed, embarrassed.

Celestia took a deep breath. “Luna, I am not angry with you. I just want you to know what lies ahead. I’m trying to help you. Mother and father said-“

“I KNOW!” Luna yelled. Celestia reared back, surprised. Luna realized what she had done. “Look, Tia, I’m sorry I’ve been acting like this. It’s just, I don’t think I’m ready for all this responsibility. That’s all.”

Celestia sat down next to Luna, giving her the warmth of her long pink mane. ”Oh, Luna. You’re more than ready. You are the most talented pony I know.” Celestia pointed her hoof towards the capital city of Equestria. “See all those ponies? They love you, and respect you. They know that you are more than ready to handle your royal duties. Mother and Father know that more than them. But nopony knows that more than I do.”

Luna sniffed. “Really?”

The white alicorn wrapped her wings around her little sister. “I can guarantee.” Luna blinked lovingly at her sister. Tia can be a pain sometimes, but I can always rely on her to make me feel better.

“Now, let’s go see mother and father. It’s getting late.” Celestia looked at Luna. “Father told me he’s going to teach you how to raise the moon tonight.”

Luna beamed with happiness, then leaped into the air. “Yes yes yes yes yes! Really? Are you serious?” Celestia nodded, and chuckled at her sister’s excitement. “Yay!” Luna danced around her older sister and skipped all the way back home.

Chapter Two: Luna's Magic

CHAPTER TWO

Queen Galaxia glanced down from her balcony to the entrance of Canterlot Castle, where the two sisters rushed through the gates and past the royal guards. The Queen smiled, her golden and purple shimmering mane flickering in the sunset.

“Are the fillies back yet?” A deep and familiar voice behind Galaxia gave her comfort. King Cosmos stood tall, his black mane flowing like a river, with his face as hard as stone.

“I just saw them enter Canterlot. Luna looked especially excited.” King Cosmos winked and grinned at the lovely regal alicorn.

As if by cue, Celestia and Luna raced up the castle stairs and up to the balcony, panting and doubled over. “Is it…true that…I get…to raise the…moon…tonight?” Luna tried to catch her breath.

“Whoa, slow down, girls; you’ll hurt yourselves.” Their mother’s voice filled them with warmth. Celestia nuzzled up against her mother while Luna looked up at her father, anticipating his answer. Cosmos looked at Luna with loving eyes, a look only a father could give. “Yes, little Luna, I will let you raise the moon tonight; all by yourself.”

Luna’s answer was almost immediate. “YES!!!” She ran around and around in circles until she realized that everypony below the balcony was staring at her. Luna realized how loud she was being, and instantly straightened up and averted her eyes from her father’s hard gaze. “I am most grateful for your generous offer, father.” Luna bowed and exited the balcony, and headed up to the roof where her mother and father raised the sun and the moon. Well, where Celestia raised the sun now. “And where I’m going to raise the moon!” Luna squealed to herself.

Galaxia, Cosmos, and Celestia were all standing by, watching. “Now remember Luna, be careful and wait for the exact right time to-

“Ok, mother, I get it.” Luna lowered her head, ashamed of her sudden rudeness. “Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just really excited , that’s all.” Her mother nodded in understanding, but it was Cosmos that was staring at Luna with extreme concentration. Luna gulped, and began.

Raising her wings high in the air, like she had seen her father do what seemed like a million times, she flew slowly and steadily. I can feel it, Luna thought, I can feel the night and the moon and the stars. Luna’s horn began to glow, then spark with life. The sun continued to slowly lower farther and farther down. Suddenly, Luna felt something, a feeling a uplifting and floating feeling that could only be the night itself. Luna raised her hooves in the air and closed her eyes, feeling the energy of the night carry her and comfort her. Connected. Why is it that that word came into Luna’s mind? Her horn glowed, and a powerful magic rushed out. I am creating the night, no, I am the night. I am constellations and stars and the moon. The sky turned a pure black. Stars appeared and shined more brightly that Luna had ever seen. Finally, she felt it. The moon. The glowing white sliver of light slowly drifted higher in the sky, until it was squarely in the middle. Luna sighed, not in relief, but in happiness and pure relaxation. She slowly lowered down to the ground and her horn stopped glowing. I did it!

Luna looked over at her parents and her older sister, who were gaping at Luna’s creation.

Celestia was the first to break the stunned silence. “Luna…that was AMAZING!” Celestia leaped around and around her younger sister. “That was like nothing I’ve ever seen before! It’s spectacular! Amazing!”

Cosmos looked disapprovingly at Celestia. Galaxia stood with a stoic expression. Then spoke. “You have given us a lot to think about.” Cosmos followed, his face solemn with worry.

Chapter Three: The Prophecy

CHAPTER THREE

Cosmos paced around his room with the same worried face he had for the whole night. Galaxia entered, as worried as Cosmos was, her orange and purple tail flicking back and forth. This conversation had been going on for hours already.

“Cosmos, you can’t possibly think Luna would do that. That was her first time raising the moon, and you know she’s just a filly.” Cosmos shook his head and argued.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I foresaw it! A sign!”

Galaxia sighed. “Luna would never…”

“She WOULD never, but she has the capability to!” Cosmos’s expression turned angry, a fiery look erupted in his normally expressionless eyes.

Galaxia lowered her head. “You know we have to leave them with the kingdom. We have to leave both of them, Celestia AND Luna. You have to stop with this…this ridiculous prophecy!”

Cosmos stood tall. “I know what I’m talking about.” Cosmos left, his gaze remaining hard even as he left the room.

Galaxia looked up at the stars.

“Oh, dear sweet Luna; please let your father be wrong.”

The next day, everypony was up early to see Celestia raise the sun. Luna admired the way she raised the sun. She always had so much spirit and passion. The light from the sun spread all across Equestria in a matter of seconds. The world was alive with ponies once again. Celestia smiled, she was always proud of her work. Queen Galaxia glanced at Luna and Celestia, and then nodded at King Cosmos.

“Girls, please follow me. There’s something we have to tell you.” The two sisters looked at each other, confused. They eventually stopped on the balcony.

“Celestia, Luna, it is time for you two to take your rightful place as leaders of Equestria.”

Celestia looked shocked, Luna was appauled. “Now? Are you sure we’re ready? I mean I know you think we are but what if we-“

Galaxia raised her hoof and Celestia remained silent. “You both are perfectly capable of maintaining harmony in Equestria. You know to raise the sun and the moon. You know how to take care of your subjects; you are both more than ready.”

Celestia nodded, but Luna looked unsure.

“And Luna,” Cosmos looked Luna right in the eye, “Don’t you ever doubt yourself. You are strong, one of the two most powerful alicorns in Equestria.” Cosmos stopped and sniffed.

Is he crying, is my father crying?

“Just…just know how to use that power, and when to use it. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you.” Luna nodded her head and swallowed. Galaxia placed her crown atop Celestia’s head; Cosmos did the same to Luna.

Goodbye, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Was that a voice in their heads? Was it their mother, or their father? The two sisters didn’t know.

Luna gasped. “Goodbye?! Wait! Where are you going! Stop!”

Cosmos and Galaxia were flying far above the balcony, Luna raced after them. The king and queen raised their horns high in the air, glowing and magic. The magic began to grow; it began to grow so colossal that it wrapped around Cosmos and Galaxia, engulfing them in what could only be pure energy.

“Luna, stop!” Celestia was right behind Luna, trying to get her back down.

“NO! Mother, Father! Come back!” The energy swirled and pulsed, and spiraled upward. It was like nothing either of the sisters had ever seen! The king and queen were in that energy, disappearing into the very fabric of the universe, becoming part of it.

Luna screamed. “NO! COME BACK!” Luna’s pain was evident, but Celestia had to keep a firm grip on Luna’s tail in order to make sure she didn’t fly straight into space.

Then, as fast as the magic and energy had appeared, it was gone.

Chapter Four: Celestia's Mane

CHAPTER FOUR

Luna howled in agony, hoping that this was just a dream; hoping that this was just a nightmare. Celestia crouched over her sister, trying to get her to stop sobbing. “MOTHER! FATHER! COME BACK!” Luna screamed and ran all around the balcony, looking to the sky for any sign of Galaxia or Cosmos.

“Luna, Luna please listen to me.” Luna turned around, puffy eyed and teary. Celestia wrapped her wing around Luna. “Mother and father are part of the universe now, they have another life elsewhere. They aren’t coming back.”

The words pounded in the back of Luna’s mind.

They aren’t coming back.

“How do you know that? Maybe they’re out there somewhere, just lost, trying to find us. Or maybe this is a test, to see if we can handle maintaining harmony in Equestria for a day, and then they’ll come back!”

Celestia sighed. “Luna, let’s go inside.” After a few minutes of coaxing, Luna finally went back inside Canterlot Castle with her sister. Luna wiped the tears off of her face and studied her sister. There was something different about her.

“Tia! Your mane and your tail!” Celestia blinked, and then studied her new mane.

It was no longer just pink, it was green, blue, and pink; her mane flowed like her father’s, but had the same bright and shining colors of her mother’s. The golden crown atop Celestia’s head perfectly complimented the new colors in her mane.

Luna frowned at her unchanged blue mane. “Why isn’t my mane like that?”

“Mother and father once told me that when alicorns reach a certain age, their mane and tail grows more colors, and flows smoothly.”

Luna looked hopeful. “So someday my mane will look like that?”

Celestia grinned at her little sister. “Yes, Luna. Someday your mane will look like this.” Luna smiled, a thing she hadn’t done for a while. “Now relax and go to sleep, Luna.”

The young alicorn walked over to her bed, lay down, and slept.

When Luna woke it was late in the morning. “Morning, Tia.” Luna yawned and glanced over at her sister’s bed.

“Celestia? Where are you?” A feeling of panic raced through Luna.

“I’m out here, Luna! Remember what my only purpose here is?”

Oh yeah, Tia had to raise the sun, duh.

Celestia happily skipped into Luna’s room. “It’s ok, Luna. You can sleep all day if you want to. Your job starts when the sun sets.”

Luna smiled and hopped back into bed.

“I’ll just be out exploring, ok Luna?”

Luna nodded, half asleep. Celestia laughed and walked out. She flew up and around scanning the area for any threats. Everything’s looking normal, as usual.

“Well, hello Celestia. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” A familiar voice hissed behind Celestia.

Discord!

Chapter Six: The Elements of Harmony

CHAPTER SIX

“Tia! Tia, wake up! TIAAAA!”

Celestia opened her eyes, looking at her sister standing over her, yelling in her ear.

“What happened, Tia!? I felt something was wrong so I went outside, and all I saw was you lying there! You scared me half to death!”

Celestia’s sudden panic roused her from her brief stupor. “Where’s Discord?! Is Equestria safe?! What’s going on?!”

Luna, shocked by her sister’s lack of calmness, which she always seemed to have, helped her sister up and looked around. “See for yourself. I don’t know where it came from, it just…appeared!”

Celestia looked around, and was horrified by what she saw. It was no longer Equestria she saw, it was a world of chaos. Pink fluffy clouds littered the sky, and from them came chocolate rain. The corn fields that the earth ponies had worked ever so hard on exploded into a mess of popcorn. Houses were floating and ponies were struggling to keep their balance as the dirt roads turned into soap.

Celestia’s jaw dropped. “What has he done?!”

Luna cocked her head. “Who? One pony did all this?”

The older alicorn sighed. I need to tell Luna the truth, even though it might hurt her.

“Not a pony, a spirit. Discord did this, and he needs to be stopped.”

Luna’s reaction was almost immediate, but not as Celestia expected. Luna’s eyes widened for a second, then they narrowed. The young alicorn looked at her older sister with a fierce and determined gaze that would move the universe itself. Luna simply spoke.

“Then let’s go.” Luna trotted into the distance but suddenly stopped and collapsed to the ground.

“Luna! What happened?! Can you hear me?”

Luna’s gaze was distant. “Our parents, I can hear them…”

“Luna, what are you-“ Celestia suddenly felt a presence in her mind

. Celestia, you must harness the power of the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord. Only you and Luna can end this.

Abruptly, their horns glowed with a magic so intense and bright that they had to avert their gaze. A great floating orb of light floated out of each of the sister’s horns. The energy and magic of the orbs suddenly combined into a spiraling mass of pure energy. The two sisters simply gaped at the great magic that was taking place before them. Once the light diminished, all that was left of the magic was a small purple box decorated with jewels and gemstones.

Celestia and Luna walked slowly over to the box.

Luna shrugged. “Do you think this box has the Elements of Harmony inside of it?” Celestia shrugged also at the simplicity of Luna’s question. Obviously Luna had heard the same thing she did. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to find out.” Slowly, the sisters opened the box. Inside lay five gemstones, all inscribed with a different symbol.

Celestia and Luna exchanged glances. “How are we even supposed to use these?”

Luna wondered. Didn’t mother and father say something about these?

“I remember reading this one book about the Elements of Harmony, but the book only said what they were, not how to use them.” Celestia pondered what in Equestria they were going to do.

Luna closed the box. “I guess we’ll have to find out.” She walked off without another word.

Celestia laughed to herself, then followed close behind her sister, entering the heart of the chaotic land they once called Equestria.

Chapter Seven: Luna's Vengeance

CHAPTER SEVEN

The two sisters raced towards Canterlot Square, where Discord was laughing manaically at the world he had created. His smile widened when he saw the two sisters approach. “Ahh, Celestia, glad you could make it. And I see you’ve brought your sister, too. How lovely.”

Luna stepped forward. “Save it, Discord. We’re here to get rid of you once and for all.” Celestia was dumfounded by the sudden bravery of the young alicorn.

Discord was even more so. “Get rid of me? Oh why in the hoof would you want to do that, Luna? After all the fun we’ve had together.” Luna narrowed her eyes until they were barely visible. It was clear she was holding back tears, but Discord couldn’t see it.

Celestia stepped forward, close to her sister. “We’re giving you a chance to leave now, Discord. Leave now and never come back. Leave all of us to peace and harmony and we will do nothing to you.”

Discord, once again, hooted and laughed until tears came. “Of course, Celestia. I will leave now, after being victorious and successfully taking the throne that I’ve been striving to obtain for years. Ha! You are even dumber than I thought, Celestia, really.”

His cruel and harsh words had no effect on Celestia, but to Luna those words alone made her feel more anger than she had felt in her whole life. “DON’T YOU EVER TALK TO MY SISTER THAT WAY!” Luna’s eyes glowed blue with a rage emanating from her that Celestia had never felt before. Her horn glowed and flickered.

Discord seemed surprised, but then relaxed once more. “Feeling brave, little Luna? Alright then, hit me. Come at me with all you’ve got.” Luna’s anger increased at Discord’s boastful words. Out of Luna’s horn came a powerful magic that engulfed Discord in pure blue. Discord yelled and thrashed under the curtain of magic, but once the dust settled, Discord stood untouched in the center of Canterlot. ”Very cute, Luna. Tell me when you’re going to ‘get rid of me’, hmm?”

Luna was about to charge at Discord again, but Celestia held her back. “The Elements of Harmony, remember?”

Luna’s eyes returned to normal. Her hackles relaxed and her horn stopped glowing. “Sorry, Tia. I was just so…so angry.” Celestia took out the purple bejeweled box that had been sitting beside her the whole time. “I guess we’re gonna learn by doing, right Tia?” Celestia nodded. The five gemstones lifted out of the box and hovered.

Discord was, for the first time, puzzled. “What are these? Are these the things that are going to lead to my dreaded demise?” Celestia and Luna exchanged glances and smiled, focusing their gaze back to the Elements of Harmony.

They tried all they could to generate as much magic as possible, hoping that something would happen. Nothing. After what seemed like years, Luna walked up to Celestia and sighed.

“I don’t this will work, Tia. Maybe we should-“ At that moment, Celestia and Luna’s horns touched, unleashing an enormous amount of unicorn magic. The Elements sparked and flickered, when suddenly a sixth element appeared. It was purple, bright, and magic. The gemstones started to spiral and swirl in circles, until they were moving so fast that a rainbow appeared out of the mass of colors. The rainbow spiraled upward and rain right into Discord, who was screaming and flaying, trying to escape the magic of the Elements the rainbow wrapped itself around Discord. When the rainbow’s blinding light dimmed, the two sisters saw lying at their hooves the stone mannequin of the chaos beast.

Chapter Eight: The Darkness

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Is…is he dead?” Luna’s voice shook and she prodded the statue with her hoof.

Celestia frowned. “No. Discord can never die or be killed, only imprisoned, like he is now.”

The blue alicorn’s eyes widened in fear. “Does that mean he can…you know…”

Celestia nodded at the inevitable truth. “Yes, he can escape. But he won’t for a very long time. Maybe even forever. I don’t know how the Elements of Harmony work.”

Luna sighed, then studied the area around them. The land was fine and back to normal, and the ponies were going about on their daily business as usual.

“Come on, Luna. The sun is setting. And you know what that means…” Celestia tried her best to cheer up her sister, but she knew the recent encounter had left them both tired and pondering.

Luna didn’t follow, instead she sat down in the grass and lowered her head. “Tia, I don’t get it. Why would Discord come back? What did he want?”

Celestia sighed and wrapped her wing around her sister. “I’ll tell you when we get back home.” Luna shrugged off her sister’s comfort and stood up, facing Celestia.

“NO! Tell me now! I want to know why! TELL ME!” A fearsome roar erupted from Luna, seemlingly shaking the earth around them.

Celestia gasped and stepped backwards, studying Luna’s eyes. Her eyes were no longer her sister’s, a thin black slit replaced Luna’s usually caring and gentle eyes. “Luna…what…what happened to you?”

Luna’s eyes returned to normal as she sat back down. They were full of fear and surprise. “I…I don’t know what came over me. Please forgive me. I…I…”

Celestia smiled and helped her sister up. “It’s all right, Luna. You’re safe.” Celestia carried her sister back to Canterlot Castle. They went into the elder sister’s room and sat down on the bed. “Luna, when I first saw Discord, he told me something I didn’t want to hear. He told me that he made a pact-“ Celestia saw Luna’s confusion. “He told me that he made a deal between our parents and himself.”

Luna still was confused. “What was the deal?”

Celestia lowered her head, bracing for Luna’s response to what she was about to say. “He said that he would leave, forever. But in return, mother and father would leave us when we were ready. Discord broke his promise, and he came back to seize the throne from us.”

Luna stood up, absorbing the truth. "Why would he do that?"

The older and wiser alicorn was stumped by what seemed like a child's question. She paused for a period of time, leaving Luna to infer that Celestia did not know the answer.

“But now that he’s gone, he can’t hurt us, right?”

Celestia nodded. “No, he cannot hurt us.”

Luna smiled, “Thank you for telling me.” Celestia hugged her sister. “Wait! I have to go raise the moon! The sun is setting!”

The white alicorn nodded and they both raced onto the balcony. Luna’s horn instantly began glowing and she flew up high into the air. Celestia watched in awe. Luna raised her hooves and felt the night carry her like it did before. She was feeling the same kind of relaxation that she had felt before. Pure happiness.

“LUNAAA!!!” Celestia was screaming below the balcony and racing up towards her sister. Luna opened her eyes and quickly caught a glimpse of her sister, sobbing and screaming, racing up towards Luna at unbelieveable speed. Luna was about to yell back, it didn’t seem like anything was wrong.

Suddenly, Luna caught a glimpse of some kind of purple magic engulfing her, restraining her movements. She didn't have any time to think.

And then the darkness took her.

Chapter Nine: The Only Way

CHAPTER NINE

At first, time seemed to freeze for Celestia, just a muffled flurry of wingbeats, screams, and tears was all she could hear at that very moment. Then the truth caught up with her. Celestia raced up and blasted every ounce of magic, every ounce of power and energy that she had ever possessed at the purple energy that was now fully embodied over Luna. The magic did nothing to it; it just kept a firm hold on Luna, while the poor young alicorn was struggling to get free.

Celestia flew higher and higher towards Luna. If magic couldn’t stop the purple energy, what else could? Suddenly, Celestia was abrubtly stopped and flown in the opposite direction by two alicorns, one had a beautiful purple and orange flickering mane, the other had a flowing mane as black as night.

Mother and father!

“Wait! Stop! Luna’s that way! We need to help her!”

Cosmos and Galaxia set their daughter down under a tree outside Canterlot. “Celestia, let us explain, we don’t have much time.” Celestia panicked at the urgency of her mother’s voice that was always so calm. “We foresaw in a prophecy that Luna would become corrupt, and seek to destroy the world. Now, we both had our doubts, but our friend Discord must have known about it. So he unleashed a wave of corruption focused into a cloud of purple magic.”

Tears ran down Celestia’s face. “The one that is killing Luna right now?! We need to help her!” The two parents sighed and shook their heads. Cosmos spoke. “That is why we are here, Celestia, to tell you what you must do to help save Luna.”

Celestia was getting frustrated. She had never felt like this before. “Then tell me how I can help her!”

Cosmos and Galaxia exchanged glances, and then sighed. “This will test you like you’ve never been tested before, Celestia. You…you must use the Elements of Harmony against Luna, it is the only way to save her.”

Celestia cocked her head and sighed. “Well, if that’s all I need to do…”

Galaxia put her hoof on the alicorn’s shoulder. “It’s not all that simple. Getting the magic out takes a whole lot of time and magic, and where would we keep the beast that Luna is changing into right now? We cannot let that roam free in Equestria, Celestia.”

Celestia stomped her hoof. “You are making me decide Luna’s imprisonment?!”

Cosmos stepped forward, silencing Celestia. “No Celestia, we have already decided that. Luna must be sent to the only place where she can be alone, and never be set free, while our magic will help get that evil out of Luna.”

Celestia lost her patience. “Quit it with these riddles! Where must I send Luna?!” A tear fell from Galaxia’s eye. She muttered an unintelligible sentence.

“Where?! TELL ME!!!” Celestia had never spoken that way to her mother before, but she needed to know. The life of her sister was at stake. “You…you must send her to the moon.”

Celestia silenced, trying to unhear what her mother had said.

No, it can’t be true.

“Can’t you? Cannot you imprison Luna? After all we’ve been through together…I…I…can’t!” Galaxia and Cosmos were both feeling the pain of their daughter.

“You must. We cannot interfere with events here. We must go, Celestia. Just…do what you know is your responsibility. It is the only way to ensure that the ponies of Equestria will live. Luna will know this, and she will forgive you.” Celestia tried to blink away her tears, but they would go away.

“Okay, I’ll do what I must do, for Equestria, for you, for Luna.” With that, her parents disappeared into the cool night air. The moon was high in the sky, so Luna must have been able to raise the moon. Maybe it’s not as bad as they think. Celestia thought. But Celestia knew better. She knew that she could expect nothing when it came to Luna. So she strode back to Canterlot Castle, where her fate, Luna’s fate, stood.

Chapter Ten: The Nightmare

CHAPTER TEN

Celestia approached the balcony cautiously, but it was not her sister that was there. A tall pony clad in shimmering silver armor stood tall, her coat as black as night. Her dark purple mane and tail was a river of the purple cloud of magic that had corrupted Luna. Her eyes were lined in purple, and had a thin, dark slit for her pupil.

Just like how Luna’s eyes became. “What have you done with my sister!?”

The monster laughed. “Whatever do you mean, Princess? This is my true form! And it will forever be. The night has offered me a chance to become what everypony has thought the night to be, a menace, a threat, a nightmare.”

Celestia gasped in shock. This was not Luna, it just couldn’t be. This was a puppet, one of Discord’s tricks. “You are not my sister! And you will never be! Now release Luna at once!” T

he dark alicorn just laughed once again. “You think I give up that easy, do you?” With that, the alicorn tackled Celestia to the floor of the balcony, knocking the wind out of her. Tears came to Celestia’s eyes.

Luna… But she had to remember that this was merely a trick, an illusion of her sister. But where was the REAL Luna?

“Remember this night, Celestia, for it is the first of an eternal and ethereal night! From this moment on, the night will last FOREVER!” The demon began laughing, her mane and tail flowing up towards the sky, towards the moon.  And that’s when Celestia remembered.

The Elements!

Celestia flew up towards the balcony and into her room, where the shining bejeweled box lay on the floor.

Celestia quick picked it up and rushed out to face the monster, the Nightmare. She was still laughing and she had taken flight. Celestia suddenly recovered a memory of Discord, cackling when he hurt Luna, when he beat her until she begged him to stop. And she, Celestia, who had stood up to Discord then, must stand up to Discord now.

“THIS IS FOR LUNA!”

The beast turned, and saw the alicorn harnessing the power of the five gems that lay in the box. They all floated weightlessly for a second, then sparked and combined into a shining mass of magic. Both of the alicorns shielded their eyes from the energy produced by the power of the Elements. Suddenly, a rainbow, similar to the one that had imprisoned Discord, shot up high in the air. It struck the monster as it sped downward. The rainbow wrapped around the nightmare beast, who was yelling and screaming in agony. The magic, and the monster, rushed upward towards the sky at startling speeds. The rainbow finally disappeared from sight, then flashed back again when it had found its mark, the moon.

Celestia sighed in relief. “It’s over. Luna is safe.” Celestia looked around for any sign of her sister, hoping that the darkness had been forced out of her and that she could return back to Equestria. But the conversation that Celestia had with her parents returned to her.

You must imprison her in the moon. It is the only way.

The alicorn slumped to the ground as she realized the horrible truth.

I have forced my sister to the moon.

The first tear came to Celestia’s eye.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye…

Chapter Eleven: Alone

Celestia looked towards the sky, towards the moon. It still shined as brightly as ever, but where was her sister?

TIA! TIA WHERE ARE YOU?!

Luna’s piercing scream came from inside Celestia’s mind. Mind? Celestia knew that only adult alicorns could communicate telepathically, so how could she hear Luna? The princess didn’t know how her sister was doing this, or how she was accepting the telepathic message, so Celestia just screamed upward.

“I’m here, Luna! I’m here! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Celestia collapsed to the ground and sobbed. She screamed and yelled with pain and sorrow, her sister was gone. She didn’t know how long, but it didn’t matter. She had brought pain to her sister, and Celestia felt she couldn’t live with herself.

Tia, I-I don’t know what’s going on. Where am I? How did I get here? How did-

Luna’s sentence was cut off by another scream. Celestia yelled in frustration. She didn’t know how to communicate telepathically, but she had to try.

Luna…I…am…here… Celestia mentally pictured those words traveling upward to Luna’s mind.

Oh, thank goodness you’re okay! Where are you? I can’t see anypony anywhere! Maybe we should-

Once again, Luna’s screams interrupted her words. What was happening to Luna?

Tia, what are they doing to me?

Who?

I…I don’t know, they look like alicorns, but I can’t seem to recognize their faces. They’re using some kind of magic, Tia, but it hurts…

Celestia remembered her mother’s words. Getting the evil out takes a whole lot of time and magic.

The older alicorn didn’t know what to say. How could she say this in a way that wouldn’t panic Luna?

Luna? The little alicorn’s voice quivered.

Yeah, Tia?

Mother and father, er, told me to help you. The only way was to, um, give you some time to yourself while the magic works itself out of you. But don’t worry, you’re ok. Does that make sense?

Kinda. But why do I have to be alone?

Celestia collapsed to the floor and broke down once more.

I DON'T KNOW WHY! I SHOULD KNOW WHY! MOTHER AND FATHER SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME!

The alicorn stared straight at the sky.

"WHY, MOTHER, WHY? WHY CAN'T I BE UP THERE WITH HER? WHY?!?!"

You know very well why. You have a kingdom to lead. Luna has a responsibility of her own.

Somehow Celestia's mother's voice inside her head didn't bother her as much as it did before. Celestia realized she must face the awful truth. She must stay in Equestria and leave her sister, alone.

T-Tia? If you're still there, I just want you to know I'll be fine. Please don't be scared. It just makes it worse for me.

Luna, you're right. I'll pull it together, for you.

Thanks, big sis.

Celestia was sure that where ever on the moon Luna was, she was smiling at that moment.

Um, also, how long will I have to be here for? It's getting pretty lonely up here.

Celestia remained silent. The truth was, she didn't know how long. So she just waited for her sister to drop the question, but of course, Luna remained curious.

Tia? How long is it gonna be until I see you again?

To be honest? I don't know. But it's not going to be very long, I assure you.

But what if it IS a long time? What if it's forever? Celestia heard the panicked worry in her little sister's voice.

Luna, there's something I want you to know. Even if you are alone up there for a very long time, I promise I will come out here every night and comfort you. I promise, I will be by your side the whole time. I will always be here to guide you and help you through this. And I know more than anypony else that you are an extremely brave alicorn. Braver and stronger and tougher than any other pony I've met. You can handle this.

Tears ran down Celestia's face as she awaited Luna's response.

I-I love you, Tia.

I love you too, Luna. Just remember, you are never alone.

THE END

Chapter Five: The Return of Chaos

CHAPTER FIVE

Celestia gasped in surprised as she quickly turned around. “Discord?! But… but how?”

Discord threw back his head and laughed. “What? Not happy to see me? I thought that you’d be more pleased with my return, but oh well…”

Celestia’s horn glowed with magic, pointed directly at the chaos beast.

“Now now, Celestia, no need to make any rash decisions.” Discord raised his arms in sarcastic and false submission.

The princess glared at Discord, her eyes full of hatred and memories.

“You…you MONSTER!!!” Celestia’s spell hit Discord square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

Discord coughed and spat, now as angry as Celestia. But instead of counterattacking, Discord merely smiled, his gaze fixed on the alicorn. Celestia lowered to the ground, her horn still shining, ready to fire.

“How’s Luna? Is she feeling better than the last time I saw her?”

That completely set Celestia off. She tackled him to the ground and placed her hoof squarely on his chest, her eyes full of tears.

“Just so you know, you have no one to blame but yourself, I had to find some way to get your attention.” Celestia’s memories clouded her thoughts, memories of pain and suffering, Discord cackling, Luna sobbing with bruises all over her face, Celestia with her wing over her poor sister.

Luna…

“Quit it with the riddles, Discord! Why are you here and what do you want!?” She had to summon every ounce of sanity and control she had in order to not kill him on the spot.

Discord grinned. “What riddles? I am merely telling the truth. But if you must know, I am here for what should have been mine; Before your sister took it from me.”

Celestia was about to explode with anger. Discord’s calmness always bothered her. “What should have been yours? What does my sister have that you want?”

Discord smiled and whispered in Celestia’s ear. “Your love.”

Celestia whacked Discord across his face with her hoof. “You can forget about that after what you did to Luna, now leave and DON'T YOU DARE come back!”

“Oh Celestia, you must be so blind to the fact that mere words will not keep me away. The only reason I left was because Galaxia…persuaded me.”

Celestia ‘s lip curled into a snarl. “She banished you, Discord! And I will do the same!”

Discord threw his head back and hooted once more. Tears streamed down his face, he was laughing very hard. “That’s what she told you! Ha! She told you she banished me?! This is even better than I thought!”

Celestia rolled her eyes. Typical Discord. But something about Discord’s sudden excitement worried her.

“What do you mean?”

Discord wiped a hysterical tear off of his face and explained.

“During the short and painful time I spent here, I was lonely and sad. Nopony loved me, or even paid any speck of attention to me, except you.”

Celestia stepped back, cautiously. It was rarely that Discord said something so personal.

“So, eventually I fell in love with you, but of course YOU knew that. But when that puny little Luna was born, I never saw you again. So I was forced to take extreme measures.”

Celestia winced, Discord didn’t need to explain what happened next.

“After your sister got, er, fair punishment for stealing your attention, your mother and father decided to meddle with everything.”

Ignoring Discord’s shrewd and cruel remarks, Celestia remained attentive, waiting for a direct answer to her question.

“So instead of banishment, I made them a promise. I would leave, forever.”

Celestia snorted. “Well you broke that promise pretty quickly, Discord.”

Discord grinned. “Ahh, but it gets better. In return, your parents promised that they would abandon after you and your sister were ready to ‘lead the kingdom’.”

The princess stood up, trying to absorb what he was saying.

“Now that the all-powerful alicorns are gone, I thought that would be an absolutely perfect time to break a promise, and take a throne.”

Celestia gasped in shock, trying to keep her legs steady, hoping that all he was saying was a lie. She finally passed out, the last sound she heard was Discord’s cackling, haunting laugh.